Prairie Rocknroll was the runner-up in back-to-back installments of the Open Pace at Saratoga Casino Hotel heading into Saturday’s try in the feature. The Kyle Spagnola-trained pacer was once again the betting favorite in the $18,000 this week and flashed early speed in the Open before yielding for a two-hole journey behind last week’s winner Humble A. Humble A cruised through a first quarter in 27.1 and a half in 56.2 while Prairie Rocknroll, the 6-5 favorite, rode the coattails of the leader. Billy Dobson popped the pocket with the Spagnola trainee approaching the three quarter pole and Prairie Rocknroll quickly surged by to take the lead. Longshot Imtheblackflash N (Chris Long) shook loose late in his debut in the Open to close sharply and finish second in the mile that was clocked in 1:52.2 while Mr Mclaren N (Larry Stalbaum) came on to be third. Prairie Rocknroll now owns three wins and a pair of seconds in his five starts in 2026. The Open winner is owned by Laurie Poulin of Barton, NY.
Live racing continues on Sunday and will feature a Pick Five carryover of $2,653 in the early Pick Five on the matinee card which starts in race one.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
